COCKTAIL TIPS & TRICKS

The Margarita

History of the “Margarita”

There are dozens of stories – many self-reported, and many claiming the Margarita was named after the drink’s recipient. I can’t help but think it’s most likely that the cocktail originated as a variation on the Tequila Daisy Cocktail. A Tequila Daisy is made with Tequila, Lime and Grenadine – and the flower called a “Daisy” in English is called “Margarita” in Spanish. Of course, that’s not the only similar cocktail that was in existence in the 1930’s – one could also easily argue that the Margarita is just a Tequila Sidecar, with Lime instead of lemon juice.

Others say the inventor was Dallas socialite Margarita Sames, when she concocted the drink for her guests at her Acapulco vacation home in 1948. Tommy Hilton reportedly attended, bringing the drink back to the Hilton chain of hotels. However, Jose Cuervo was already running ad campaigns for the margarita three years earlier, in 1945, with the slogan, "Margarita: It’s more than a girl's name." According to Jose Cuervo, the cocktail was invented in 1938 by a bartender in honour of Mexican showgirl Rita de la Rosa.

Step 1: Pour all ingredients in a Boston glass.Step 2:Shake all ingredients with cubed ice.Step 3: Take a coupette glass and rim the glass with salt.Step 4: Fine strain in a pre-chilled coupette glass.Step 5: Garnish with a lime wheel.